Kavaratti: History, How To Reach, Tourist Places To Visit, Shopping

Kavaratti is the capital of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India. Kavaratti is a census town as well as the name of the atoll upon which the town stands. It is well known for its pristine white sand beaches and calm lagoons, which makes it a popular tourist destination.

Name:	Kavaratti
Location:	Lakshadweep, India
Climate:	Summers: 35° C (Max), 22° C (Min) | Winters: 32° C (Max), 20° C (Min)
Best Time to Visit:	November to April
Nearest Airport:	Agatti and Bangaram
Railway Station:	–
Must Visits:	Marine Aquarium, Mosques, Beaches, Water Sports, Sunbathing
Language Spoken:	Malayalam, Mahl, English
STD Code:	04896

Kavaratti is the administrative capital of India’s smallest union territory, Lakshadweep. It lies in the Arabian Sea, 345 km southward of Calicut and Malabar Coast of southern India. Spread over an area of just about 4 square kilometers, Kavaratti is the most developed and second most populated island out of the 36 islands of Lakshadweep. The many lagoons around Kavaratti bring you in the company of star fish, sea cucumbers, and species of fish and other marine life. It is also known for the coconut palms that grow on the northern side of the island. Kavaratti also hosts India’s first low temperature desalination plant which was opened here in year 2005 and is expected to desalinate at least 100,000 liters of water every day. The town also has a few administrative buildings, a bank, numerous mosques (around 52), and an aquarium. Its economy solely depends on tourism and hospitality industry.

Kavaratti gets its name from the island upon which it stands. Kavaratti is noted for its carved wooden pillars, carved roofs of its mosques, and carved headstones in the graveyards. Apart from the Ujra mosque, built by Sheikh Mohammad Kasim in the 17th century that is situated on the south eastern part of the island, all other tourist attractions involve water in one way or the other. Few minutes of walk from the Ujra Mosque takes you to a marine aquarium that is also a museum. It possesses different types of awesome and exotic looking shells, corals, and fish. Adventurous and thrilling water sports like kayaking, snorkeling, water skiing, sailing, swimming, and motor boating make up for rest of the tourist attractions in the island of Kavaratti. If too tired from all the sports, visitors can also indulge in some quiet and relaxing time while basking under the sun. Travelers can reach Kavaratti either via flight to the nearest airport of Agatti and Bangaram (Regular flights take off daily from Kochi, India) or via ships that operates between Kochi and various other islands.

Best Time To Visit Kavaratti

Kavaratti, the stunning capital city of Lakshadweep, studded with palm-strewn beaches, is a cynosure for the honeymooners, tourists and even outlanders, who flock to this island outpost to soak up some sun and laze around in the beach. Kavaratti Island is the ultimate hotspot for water-gambols who flock this island to indulge in attractions like boating, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, etc. The island’s lagoons are not just a visual delight but also serve as a haven to a wide variety of aquatic life including starfishes, sea cucumbers, octopus and anemones. Besides lagoons and beaches, Kavaratti also houses 52 mosques of which Ujra mosque is the most popular one. The capital enjoys three seasons – summer, winter and monsoon. Evenings are generally cool and you can feel the breeze gently embracing you. Know more about the weather conditions and the best time to visit Kavaratti by scrolling down the page.

When To Go To Kavaratti

Summer

Kavaratti experiences scorching summers. The maximum temperature during the summer months darts beyond 350C, making it intolerable for the tourists to stand the sweltering heat. Taking a cool dip in the sea or indulging in constant showers is the only way to keep oneself cool during summers. On especially hot days, you can see the locals and tourists reclined on the beach, sipping on cool drinks and enjoying the suntan. April and May are the hottest months in Kavaratti and traveling during this time is inadvisable. If you do, then make sure to carry umbrellas, sunscreens, and moisturizers and don’t forget to wear light clothes while venturing out.

Winters

Winters in Kavaratti Island boasts of warm days and cooler nights. The temperature usually fluctuates anywhere between 300C to 220C making it quite pleasant for tourists to hit this spot. Though the nights aren’t usually nippy, it’s always wise to pack enough warm clothes to protect yourself.

Opting For Your Favorite Season

The ideal time to visit Kavaratti Island is between November to April when the ambiance is moderate and people can enjoy adventure activities including windsurfing and snorkeling. There is no dearth of hotels and tourism huts in Kavaratti. Hence, finding an accommodation is never really a problem for the tourists. Besides, there are many private cottages exclusively designed for couples that offer quality services. Kavaratti is gifted with a rich marine life and pristine blue beaches, making the island a dream destination for the wanderlusts.

Things To Do

If you are a true-blue water sport freak, then Kavaratti is your ultimate vacation spot. From snorkeling to glass bottomed boat rides to hi-speed thrills like windsurfing, para sailing and water skiing, Kavaratti has absolutely no dearth of delights for the adventure buffs. The shallow lagoons tot up as the ideal setting for indulging in activities like deep-sea fishing and scuba diving. What’s more, Kavaratti hosts water actions like kayaks, canoes and surf modules, thereby making it the ultimate retreat for the vacationists.

How To Reach Kavaratti

Serving as the capital and administrative centre of Lakshadweep, the beautiful palm-fringed island of Kavaratti looks like a place straight out of the postcard. Kavaratti attracts huge number of tourists every year with its shallow lagoons and spate of water sports. In fact, it is one of those few places in the world that help you explore the starfish, sea cucumbers, jellyfish and many other interesting aquamarine bodies from close quarters. Apart from its beautiful marine lives, the place is famous for other attractions like kayaking, water-skiing, snorkeling, sailing, paddle boats and lots more. If you have an adventure streak in you, then Kavaratti is the place to go. Apart from sandy beaches and blue sea, you can check out the marine aquarium, hit the dolphin drive center, and go for inflatable motor boat rides here. This small island of nearly 4 sq km is a busy place with people constantly indulging in offshore activities and fun. The shallow lagoons offer the best entertainments to water sport freaks. From scuba diving to deep-sea fishing, a trip to Kavaratti promises to be an overwhelming experience. With so much to do and explore, the city of Kavaratti is a fairyland for the vacationists. If you feel mesmerized by the beautiful description of the city and itch to have some real water fun, then this article will help you find your way to the shores of Kavaratti. To know more on how to reach Kavaratti, read on.

Traveling To Kavaratti

By Air

Although Kavaratti doesn’t have any airport, the nearest airport is located in Agatti and is well connected to most of the major cities in India. Some of the noted airlines operating from this airport are Indian Airlines, Kingfisher, SpiceJet, Air India, Go Air, Jet Airways etc. Agatti airport is connected by regular flights from Kochi. You can also avail helicopter services from Agatti to travel to the important cities of Kavaratti and Bangaram Islands during monsoons.

By Ship

Ships and luxury cruises are the most preferred recreational means of voyage by tourists and is by far the best mode of transport to reach Lakshadweep. The ferries such as MV Bharat Seema, MV Tipu Sultan, MV Minicoy and MV Amindivi provide rides between Kochi and Lakshadweep islands. These well-maintained and comfortable ferries entertain people with best cafeteria, snack bar and beautiful interiors. If you wish to indulge in a ship ride, make sure you know the schedule beforehand. Apart from this, several other passenger ships ferry from Kochi to Lakshadweep. However, the ship services remain close during the monsoons.

By Rail

Since Kavaratti is situated in the middle of the sea, there are no railways to reach the place. The nearest railway station to the destination is that of Kochi.

By Road

Because of its geographical location, there is no way to reach Kavaratti by road.

Local Transportation

Once in Kavaratti, you can rent a bicycle or explore the beautiful island by foot. Since much of the city remains unspoiled by the claws of conurbation, you won’t really find cabs or rickshaws here.

Places To Visit In Kavfaratti

Kavaratti, a part of the Lakshadweep archipelago, is an enthralling natural paradise, geographically located close to the coast of Kerala and bounded by the Arabian Sea. With its white sandy beaches, soothing sea, fascinating marine life, breezy coconut palms, and beautiful lagoons, Kavaratti is truly every tourist’s ultimate getaway. This isle is a great place to relax, rejuvenate and indulge in some amazing water sports. Kavaratti has something to offer to everyone, from stunning architectures of the town mosques to amazing water sports to serene and pleasant ambiance. While you are in the town do make sure to grab a bite of the local fare that is inspired from the spicy Malabar cuisine. Kavaratti offers a mix of calm and scenic surroundings and a string of exciting sporting activities. If you love water sports, then Kavaratti is the best holiday for you as it offers many water escapades such as scuba diving, snorkeling, water and wind surfing etc. Read the article to know all about the tourist attractions in Kavaratti.

Tourist Attractions In Kavaratti

Mosques

Kavaratti has nearly fifty-two mosques, each of the mosques being a unique example of local artisanship. Out of the fifty odd mosques you can spot here, Ujra Mosque stands with its beautiful structure and stunning sculptures. The mosque, constructed by Sheikh Mohammed Kasim in the 17th century, boasts of beautifully carved ceiling made of driftwood, with intricate patterns and colored in pale green and dark red. What’s more, there is a well in the mosque whose water is said to have healing powers and is frequently visited by the ailing and the sick. Apart from the Ujra Mosque, there are other mosques like Ajara and Jamnath, which are equally famous for its high ceilings and intricate minaret carvings.

Marine Aquarium

Whether you are a marine biologist or an underwater enthusiast, you must visit the Marine Aquarium and catch a glimpse of its exotic aquatic life. Also serving as a local museum, this place displays a wide variety of marine species and corals. The highlights of the aquarium are its small sharks, sea cucumbers, octopuses, fishes and anemones. You can view them through a glass compartment, which is quite a fascinating experience. The museum also hosts a collection of unique corals, shells and a few varieties of fish fossils of species that are extinct now.

Dolphin Drive

The Dolphin Drive centre is another must visit place in Kavaratti, especially for the scuba dive enthusiasts. The centre has quite a few scuba packages that conduct diving in coral reef places in the island. Besides this, the Dolphin Drive organizes coaching classes for both first time and professional divers. The best part of this place is that you can hire a glass bottom boat to check out the interesting sea life in the region.